A German-Finnish cooking project took place at the Alice Salomon Vocational School in Linz/Rhine from September 26 to October 6, 2022.

The event was held as part of the school’s European Erasmus+ program. “The idea for the project actually came about all by itself because our Finnish partner school has similar educational focuses,” says Henning Becker, head of the Erasmus+ team, describing the beginnings. Henning Becker and Maria Vaszary were quickly able to get the teams from both schools excited and involved in the planning phase. In addition to the HBF-EV class from BBS Alice Salomon, led by Daniela Haase and Marie-Therese Syllwasschy, eight Finnish students were also involved. of the Sataedu School Kokemäki/Pori were also involved. The subject teachers from both schools were also involved and supported both the planning in advance and the seven cooking events. The aim of the project was to get to know each other and work together. Both teams took it in turns to present their country in culinary terms over six days. The HBF-EV kicked things off with a typical German dish. The Finnish pupils In addition to the typical local food, they also learned how to prepare it. The next day was a change.
The meals cooked here comprised 100 portions each day. The meals were served in two specially equipped and lovingly decorated dining rooms. Thanks to the great support and encouragement of the Erasmus+ team, visitors were able to sample an appealing, restaurant-quality meal free of charge. They were then allowed to pay what they could and what seemed appropriate. All proceeds will be donated to the BBS Alice Salomon support association, whose declared aim is to support low-income learners.

“I can’t decide, I just think everything is delicious!” comments one pupil on her visit to the dining hall. The budding professionals are also impressed: “Somehow it’s almost the same ingredients, but then it’s completely different dishes. It was also a big challenge for me in the planning stage to find out and think about what ingredients I would probably get in Germany at this time of year,” says Kirsti Mäkinen, a specialist teacher from Finland, describing her impressions. After six school days, during which the school community was served three typical dishes from each country, the students of the cooking project face their final challenge. At the final dinner on October 6, under the patronage of local dignitaries from the Neuwied district (including Ms. Laupichler), an international menu will be served. In terms of taste, both sides have come together and found a delicious compromise. In addition to the professional experience and their own professional development, the students The students also made friends and were still planning to continue the project in Finland on the evening of the farewell. “Well… and now we actually have to publish a recipe booklet with all the recipes we cooked,” muses Daniela Haase, teacher of practical skills at BBS Alice Salomon.
We are very happy that our first project in this form and on this scale was such an immediate success! Time and again, we see how important it is for Europe to grow together, not only to pursue common goals, but also to achieve them! That’s why this was just the first project of many ideas that we still want to implement,” says Maria Vaszary, head of the Erasmus+ team, summarizing the team’s further work in her acceptance speech on 6 October 2022. Although the international cooking project came to an end that evening, the team’s commitment will continue to build and strengthen partnerships in Europe. Special thanks also go to the students of the FSHBL 20+ vocational school for home economics management at BBS Alice Salomon in Linz/Rhine. They helped in advance to translate the numerous recipes into English.
Our school says KIITOS, KIPPIS, HYVÄÄ RUOKAHALUA and ENSI KERTAAN.
BBS Alice Salomon is an accredited institution in the Erasmus network of the European Union. The mobilities and the Erasmus+ project “European Peer Education” are funded by the European Union.
By: Jenny Trittin – member of the Erasmus team at BBS Alice Salomon
